title: Insulin infusion for diabetic children.
abstract: Low-dose insulin infusion was used successfully in the management of 10 diabetic children aged 3.5 to 16.7 years (five ketoacidosis, four with insulin refractory hyperglycaemia, and one during elective surgery). The mean duration of infusion was 33 hours, with a mean infusion rate of 2.9 units/h for the ketotic subjects, and 2.6 units/h for those requiring stabilization. The over-all mean hourly rate per kg body weight was 0.074 units. Extension of the infusion time beyond that needed for the immediate correction of the hyperglycaemia and/or ketoacidosis enabled the smooth transition to a subcutaneous insulin regimen. Low-dose insulin infusion has introduced a new dimension of flexibility in the management of diabetes in the paediatric age group; the technique can be used to break the cycle of insulin-refractoriness as well as to reverse ketoacidosis. The surgeon can also anticipate a more predictable control of blood glucose level during major surgery when a continuous insulin infusion regimen is used.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016883:Diabetic Ketoacidosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000188:drug therapy; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007332:Insulin Infusion Systems; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin